While clifftop homes come in for a lot of praise, what about those that sit at the bottom of a rockface, like this Madeiran villa? Not only does it benefit from uninterrupted views of the glistening ocean, but there's also ready access to a shared rocky beach just 30 metres from the home. Sticking around outside, guests will be pleased to find a private infinity pool positioned to make the most of the coastal vista, as well as seating and a table at the end of the terrace.

The home itself was a farmer's barn in a former life but has since been converted into a rather desirable getaway. On the ground floor, there's a lounge flooded with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows and a kitchen with a brick barbecue for cooking over an open flame. Head upstairs to find a trio of contemporary bedrooms and bathrooms, plus a couple of balconies ideal for sunset-watching.

When it comes to filling up your itinerary, this part of the island is renowned for its walking routes, especially a little further into the hilly interior. However, there are plenty of large sandy beaches along the coastline if you want to do nothing more strenuous than sunbathing and swimming.

Home truths:
*It's spread over two floors with no elevator or bedrooms on the ground level
*The beds in the second and third bedrooms can be prepared as twins or doubles on request
*Due to the location of this home, we recommend hiring a car to get the most out of your stay, but this will need to be smaller due to the narrow access road
*There's space to park one car in the garage, plus an additional three outside
*Guests have access to a small beach hut that's shared between the neighbouring villas
*Your host can provide a cot and high chair for free upon request
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace
*Cleaning and linen changes are provided weekly for stays longer than seven days